What I am noticing about the TAB environment:I am noticing a ton of positive behaviors and experiences that are coming from switching to TAB or choice-based art.
The students are engaging in more co-operative art. They are able to create art together as a team with their classmates to create a final big art piece. It is really fascinating to see how the dynamics of the group of students work. One person usually takes the leadership role and delegates all the different jobs, however, they are all coming up with great ideas and each voice is being heard. Another thing that is really cool about them working together is that each person is vital to the group and whatever qualities and talents they have are broadcasted. Another positive behavior is the students being able to share ideas and materials. I thought I would have more issues with fighting over certain supplies because in some centers, they are limited. For example, there is only three iPads at the iPad center, I had one first grader walk up to me and say, "I want to play with t the iPads, but theres none for me to play with." One of the other students, playing with an iPad, says, "Ms. V. is it alright if we take turns, I finish one level and then he finishes the next?" I thought that was a perfect solution to the problem and it was great to have those teachable moments about sharing. I also had one student in Kindergarten creating a very cool painting by swirling some paint together, another student comes up to him as says, "Wow, how did you do that!? That is so cool!" Then the student began to explain how he created that painting. I love these moments were other students are able to recognize and learn from what their classmates are creating. In a regular art classroom, they would not have been able to get that same opportunity if all the artworks are looking the same and the students are following a procedure to complete that project. Another behavior that I'm seeing is an increase of problem solving. Since I am not giving them a step by step project, where all the problems should already be worked out, the students are having to figure things out for them self to solve some artistic problems. They are having to try multiple things and then ask for help from other students or from me. Another positive behavior is that their artwork has a purpose. The students are making art for other people as gifts or for special reasons, like they are sick. They are picking out colors because they know its someones favorite or drawing certain things because that person really likes those things. TAB is giving the students an opportunity to show some compassion through making art. The last thing that I love about switching to TAB is the ability to fail. Many school districts preach about allowing the students to fail, and that failure is a good thing as long as then learn from it. I felt that the way the art room use to be set up, if you failed at a project, you were not able to correct it. You just had to live with the failure and bring it home because we were moving on to the next project. Switching to choice-based allows for the student to fail multiple times and fix it, without being rushed. I really think its important for the students to be able to fail, and then learn that with more practice, information, and tips, they can get improve. |
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Centers
iPads
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Future of the TAB classroom
In the next couple months, the students will be utilizing Google Classroom for some instruction on the different centers. They will find tutorials, ideas, videos of artists that are using the same supplies and what they have created, step by step instructions on how to do certain things, and links to websites with additional information.
They will also start working on what is called a W.O.W. project which stands for Wonderful, Original, Works of Art. This is where they design a project that they want to work on for several class periods and then will be in the art show at the end of the year.
They will also start working on what is called a W.O.W. project which stands for Wonderful, Original, Works of Art. This is where they design a project that they want to work on for several class periods and then will be in the art show at the end of the year.